Chicago public transportation question

[migirl]

We're spending Thanksgiving in Chicago this year, and thinking about taking the kiddos to the Ringling Bros. circus at the United Center.

My parents' condo is in the South Loop area; it looks like we could take the Orange Line train to the Madison stop, and then take Bus 20 west.

It's been years since I've taken the el, and I've never done it with little kids and I've definitely never had to do a bus transfer. Is this going to be more complicated than I think? Or does this seem like it will be pretty easy to do?

[alison]

That should be fine. What time does the show start? What day of the week?

The area around the United Center isn't very safe and can be deserted, unless there's an event. It's not a good area to be lost in.

Another option is the Blue line, and then walking for a good 10 minutes north on Damen (factoring in "kid pace").

I'd honestly take a cab. Should be about $15-20 one way.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I agree with Alison!

[alison]

If it's you and your husband (young kids like yours ride free), you'll already pay at least $4 each to get to the United Center, since you'll have to transfer. That's $8 forth and $8 back. I know that's not $40 that you'd spend on a cab, but it'd be worth it to save on the stress of transferring and traveling to an unsafe part of town... I'm all about public transportation, but not in this particular instance.

[migirl]

That should be fine. What time does the show start? What day of the week?

The show starts at 3:30pm, on Friday (day after Thanksgiving!).

Thanks for the info, I'll look into taking a cab. We'll have our cars available, too, so we could drive ... but then there's the issue of parking...

[alison]

The show starts at 3:30pm, on Friday (day after Thanksgiving!).

Thanks for the info, I'll look into taking a cab. We'll have our cars available, too, so we could drive ... but then there's the issue of parking...

There's quite a bit of foot traffic during the week, because of the hospitals near the center, but it's a bit concerning to me, because this is a holiday weekend.

Sounds fun. Be sure to say hello to Chicago for me.

Have a wonderful time!

One note - check the MTA's website to make sure the stops you'll use are handicapped (stroller) accessible. They aren't all so, and we had to carry a double stroller w/2 sleeping kids down 2 flights one time.

[Vishenka69]

We had the worst time trying to take public transport in Chicago this summer. The machines only take exact change in cash, don't give change or accept any kind of cards and those singles better be nice and crisp. Same thing for bus transfers. We gave up and took cabs. I can't imagine trying to jam several singles in the machine while having 2 kids in tow.